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According to the survey, 62 per cent of Scots now intend to vote SNP on the constituency part of next year’s Holyrood elections, with 54 per cent preparing to back the party on the regional list.

SNP business convener Derek Mackay MSP hailed the findings as “exceptional” and claimed they showed “extraordinary levels” of support after eight years in Government.

He added: “We take absolutely nothing for granted, and will keep working hard every day between now and next year’s Holyrood election to retain the trust of people right across Scotland as we look to build on our record of delivery and success.”

Labour’s support continues to haemorrhage as the party recorded just 20 per cent for both the constituency and regional list votes, with the Tories on 12 per cent.

The survey of 1,062 over-16s suggested the Greens could overtake the Lib Dems to become Scotland’s third party.

The Lib Dems got three per cent in the constituency and four per cent on the list vote, while the Greens got eight per cent on the list.

Translated into seats, such a huge SNP vote would give Ms Sturgeon’s party 78 of Holyrood’s 129 seats with Labour winning only 25, the Tories 15, the Greens nine and the Lib Dems two.

Scottish Labour acting leader Iain Gray said: “The road back for Scottish Labour is going to be a long and difficult one. There can be no quick fix.

“With a new leader to be announced on Saturday we will spend the coming weeks and months seeking to win back the trust of the people of Scotland.”

Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said: “On the economy, education, the NHS and law and order, the SNP is failing to deliver and this poll shows clearly that people in Scotland know it too.

“We need a government in Scotland that comes up with practical action to help turn around falling literacy and numeracy standards, and which puts the NHS on a long-term footing.”